Comments on: Things Look Gloomy For Paid Wi-Fi

By: Steven Hoober

Steven Hoober — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:37:21 +0000

Some of us have been hanging around in coffee shops doing user interviews lately. When working out which one, there was some discussion of sufficient power and WiFi. As I’m one of those who went with the aircard (for years now) I said to not worry about it. I even share the connection with the co-workers over a private WiFi network.

I also find that any sufficiently dense area will very often have free, open wifi bleed into neighboring stores. I’ve gotten free WiFi in Starbucks, by using someone else’s network instead.

Paid WiFi has been lame and dated for several years now.

By: Giff Gfroerer, i2SMS

Giff Gfroerer, i2SMS — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:42:18 +0000

By excluding the availability of WiFi in your stores you are ultimately excluding potential profits.

What is the point in charging for WiFi or only letting ATT customers use it for free. This only limits you to other people who want a cup of coffee coming in and instead opting for Caribou’s FREE WiFi or Panera Bread’s FREE WiFi.

A long time ago I learned by placing exclusions on your offerings you were actually excluding potential profits. I simply don’t understand this marketing campaign.

By: Irakli

Irakli — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:49:02 +0000

There’s this pub / bar in Munich called “Puck”, where Russell and I met some time ago. It’s located next to the university, and used to offer free WiFi.

The students loved it, in fact so much they used to spend their entire day in what you could describe as a “Wired Bohemian” workspace Nice, but economically unsound for Puck, who now have reverted to paid WiFi.

Personally, I think the solution is fairly simple: add a 1 hour access voucher with code to every sold Cappuccino, and everyone is happy. Not?